Things to have to do zero-waste. (Image via Beritagar)

Editorial: Does Zero-Waste Really Exist?

Toska Dhia Andana
Editorial
Opinion
Jun 23, 2019
1843
Zero-waste is a global trend and it’s trending in Indonesia as well. Tons of silverware straws are sold whether in e-commerce and any other online shop platforms. Do you also have one?

Zero-waste is basically a movement (started in the western countries) to reduce waste. The intention is to help saving the earth as there are many cases where animals and environment became endangered due to a massive plastic waste. Doing a less waste is pretty simple; use re-useable instead of plastic straws, bring your own tote or produce bags, bring your own water bottle or tumbler and the list goes on. However, does buying those stuffs really make zero-waste?

Unless one uses each of the items for at least 20 years—yes it does. However, the thing is, if for instance you order a set of re-useable straw from an online shop, the seller would send the straws using plastic packaging. That makes another plastic waste. There are also cases where one would mistakenly throw out a re-useable straw because they forget it is not a plastic straw. Then they would buy it again and it will create more waste. Another example is a person who is collecting tumblers from a coffee shop brand after they release new designs. Will that person use each tumbler he has? Probably not. Is he making more waste? Probably yes.

Zero-waste is really just a myth because there is no way one could produce no waste. However, zero-waste is originally a good intention with several notes on the side. First, buy re-usable stuffs once and use it for a long time, second, don’t lose it, and third, don’t forget to bring it wherever you go. It will be better for companies to have a recycling program, where consumers can return empty bottles or packages for recycling and get a reward for it. Body Shop has done it for years, and it sure helped in reducing their waste.

Source: https://treadingmyownpath.com/2018/03/15/is-zero-waste-real/

ZeroWaste , LessWaste , GlobalTrend , Indonesia , Products